Read this week's Hot Stories in Africa and Middle East

Hot Stories in Emerging Markets

Social network 2go has more active users in Nigeria than Facebook
http://gadget.co.za/pebble.asp?relid=5148

Four Banks & Etisalat Deploy Mobile Money Service
http://allafrica.com/stories/201209160190.html

Social secrets of the digital divide to help users cross several digital divides
http://www.gadget.co.za/pebble.asp?relid=5101

Seven ways mobile phones have changed lives in Africa
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/13/world/africa/mobile-phones-change-africa/index.html

The backbone of Africa: Entrepreneurs who refuse to quit
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/african-and-mideast-business/the-backbone-of-africa-entrepreneurs-who-refuse-to-quit/article4565485/?service=mobile

South Africa reported to have the most expensive mobile broadband
http://www.humanipo.com/blog/1652/South-Africa-reported-to-have-the-most-expensive-mobile-broadband

Middle East operators mull social networking alliance
http://www.mobilebusinessbriefing.com/articles/middle-east-operators-mull-social-networking-alliance/25441?elq=d71ea279e9eb43c29cc47080f0d28c34#.UGREliEMLkI.twitter

Hosted offerings tailor-made for Africa compete head-on with cloud computing giants. MynextMail interview
http://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/advice/success-stories/snapshots/mynextmail-madoda-kuzwayo-and-mnive-nhlabathi/

Infographic

Smartphone usage in South Africa
http://techtalkafrica.com/smartphone-usage-in-south-africa-infographic.html/

Weekly Webinar

Bringing value to the network: Powerful and Reliable DPI Engine as key driver for competitive Network Equipment Vendors
http://webinars.telecoms.com/webinar/bringing-value-to-the-network/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+upcomingwebinars+%28webinars.telecoms.com%29

Blog Spot

The Rise of Enterprise 2.0
http://comworldseries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-rise-of-enterprise-20.html

The Com World Series team concentrates on emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East and Eurasia 24/7 – 365 days of the year. You can follow the news with us by joining our online communities.

Nigeria Com 2012 - See your next year!

Share your thoughts on #NigeriaCom

Nigeriacom 2012: it’s all about the customer 

The 3rd annual Nigeria Com closed today in Lagos after 2 days of debate within the telecoms, media and ICT industry: a chance to take a look at the opportunities in Africa’s largest and arguably most exciting market.

The main message was that despite challenges, Nigeria offers growing opportunities to those who can take them. The key to success is to deliver what consumers want. However this seemingly simple objective is not an easy task in an environment where behaviours, technologies and trends are changing rapidly.

The first conference day focused on business models, networks, smartphones and new revenues opportunities for operators (including mobile marketing). The 2nd day brought in the point of view of different players: content providers, social media brands and financial institutions. The sessions were a success because they enabled different parts of the digital ecosystem to discuss partnerships and service opportunities to benefit all involved.

New features were included at this year’s Nigeria Com: Speed Networking sessions, an AppGig for applications developers hosted by Blackberry, a VIP lounge and new sessions on mobile marketing & advertising, mobile financial services, OTT players and more.

Nigeria Com offered a chance to address the biggest trends in Africa’s digital market before the next must-attend event in the industry’s calendar: AfricaCom, taking place in Cape Town on 13-15 November. Now in its 15th year, AfricaCom is larger than ever: programme extended to 3 days, a larger exhibition, 7000+ attendees, 200 speakers, new sessions, 3 pre-conference events, and the biggest names in the digital industry including MTN, Cell C, Facebook, Rovio, Mxit, Amazon, Vodacom and more.

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What are your thoughts on this year's Nigeria Com?    
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Tweet about your experience using #NigeriaCom @allaboutcom on twitter!

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What our attendees said about this year's show:   
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"Nigeria Com 2012 provided insightful, practical presentations and conversations about relevant topics e.g. social media and mobile money. Both the industry players present and fellow mobile operator delegates were great to debate and network with"
Wellington Simbande, Glo, GM: VAS Applications & services

"This year’s event was fantastic. It was very beneficial for vendors and operators to improve their business. I am very glad for this opportunity"
Chiezie O., Zoom Mobile, Vas/IT/configuration

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Click here to see what our attendees are saying on twitter: 

https://twitter.com/i/#!/search/realtime/%23NigeriaCom
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Thank you to all the Sponsors of Nigeria Com 
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VIP Headline Sponsor
PCCI
 
APPGIG Sponsor
Blackberry
 
Networking Drinks Sponsor
GlobalSMSC
 
Event Sponsors
Corning
Velti
Rancard

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See You Next Year!
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To get involved early for the 2013 show, please visit our website:

Nigeria Com
17-18 September 2013,
Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria
Visit our website:   www.comworldseries.com/nigeria

Key visionaries shared their experiences at Nigeria Com on Day 1

***Join us for day 2!***    Share your thoughts on #NigeriaCom  
  
Nigeria Com 
26-27 September 2012, 
Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria Island 
Lagos, Nigeria 
Visit our website: www.comworldseries.com/nigeria
 
Key visionaries shared their experiences at Nigeria Com on Day 1 
 
The 3rd Annual Nigeria Com conference and exhibition opened today in Lagos, Nigeria. Leaders from the country’s major operators, service providers, OTT players, vendors and more gathered to discuss the opportunities in Africa’s largest communications market. 

     
Innovation, new revenues streams, smartphone developments and the role of OTT players were among the topics discussed in the opening keynote – with speakers from Etisalat, Visafone, Google, MTN, Anabel Group among others. 

From the debates, Nigeria’s environment can be described as quite challenging but full of opportunities, including: local content and apps, mobile financial services and mobile advertising. Opening keynote speaker Abdoulaye Sarre, CEO of headline sponsor PCCI, said: “Operators in the changing structural, operational and technical environment are looking for ways and means to maintain their revenue per user”. As PCCI is planning to launch its operation in the country in 2013, Nigeria Com is a good opportunity to establish the company as a key player in the CRM, BPO and added value services market. 

Alongside the conference, the exhibition area is buzzing with activity: visitors checking stands, delegates engaging in Speed Networking, VIPs relaxing in their dedicated lounge, speakers being interviewed for local TV programmes and people having impromptu business meetings. 

 
“Our objective with Nigeria Com is to engage all stakeholders in the market to meet and discuss how to make the most of new market trends and opportunities; we are pleased with the level and diversity of attendance this year” says Julie Rey, Research Director at organisers Informa Telecoms & Media. 

Nigeria Com continues this afternoon with sessions dedicated to the enterprise segment and mobile marketing & advertising, followed by a networking drinks reception. Tomorrow, the focus of the programme will be service innovation, with sessions on content & apps, customer value management and mobile payments.
 
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Make sure to join us for Day 2
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There is an outstanding speaker line-up for day 2 of the event as well -   
make sure to join us tomorrow!   
     
--------------------------------------------------
What are your thoughts on this year's Nigeria Com?   
--------------------------------------------------
     
Tweet about your experience using #NigeriaCom @allaboutcom on twitter!
 
--------------------------------------------------
Click on the url below to see what our attendees are saying on twitter:

https://twitter.com/i/#!/search/realtime/%23NigeriaCom
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Sponsors of Nigeria Com
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VIP Headline Sponsor
PCCI
   
APPGIG Sponsor
Blackberry
   
Networking Drinks Sponsor
GlobalSMSC  
   
Event Sponsors  
Corning  
Velti
Rancard